So, this trip was a quick one- an impromptu shotgun surprise from Joe (my luva). I had recently turned . . . um 21 and so Joe decided to surprise me with a quick trip to wine country. Santa Ynez- where even Dionysus could get lost amongst it's numerous wineries (over 70), tasting rooms and fine food. Since we were only spending two days in this "land of good juice," we wasted no time getting started. We quickly packed a bag, said goodbye to our beloved pooch and hit the road.
Ah Solvang, it felt good to be back. Solvang used to be a popular vacation destination for my mother and I. I remember spending hours with her shopping within the Nether-land village for the perfect set of wooden shoes. This trip would be different though. Since I was now the ripe age of 21 it was now my goal to slip into something a lil more comfortable, drive through Solvang's "Nether"-region, slither deep into the back-woods and for the first time taste this county's fine and ferocious nectar. My palette was ready!
Our first stop was the Gainey winery. As we slowly drove up to it's front gates, the vines just spilled out before us, (no pun intended). It was gorgeous and as we approached the counter, requesting our first tasting, I felt myself grow a lil intimidated. Silly right? Well, that soon wore off. After tasting just 2 wines I become a pro, throwing out adjectives became my middle name. "Black-berry," "spicy," "cherry," "peppery," "hints of tobacco," "earthy," "spring-like and refreshing," sayings like, "it has a large nose", "such a vibrant bouquet", and "ooh such a wide spectrum of flavors." Don't get me wrong, I love wine but it amuses me how people won't take you seriously unless you have a thesaurus with you.
Anyway, our third winery and by far my favorite was a wee lil 365-acre hillside winery called "Beckmen." Oh my Zues- thank you for Dionysus! I just have one word for those of you planning on taking my recommendation seriously . . . Syrah. I now own two of them.
Moving on to greener pastures, that is greener pastures filled with tiny horses or as the politically correct would like to call them- height-challenged. Whatever, I call them cute. Within our 2 day adventure several had recommended that we check out this stunted horse farm. And then someone mentioned it was free. Well who can pass up a new experience for free. Not Us! So we took a break from the wine and drove west to visit these fury dwarfs.
They all vary in miniature size but most come up to about the knee and they are so sweet. I contemplated on buying one, had a name for it and everything (Doc) but between it's cost of 4,000 dollars and the lack of space in our trunk, I decided this just wasn't the right time.
And this is Doc-
After a full day of festivities, we stopped over at ye old "Hitching Post." Yes, like the one in "Sideways." I was tempted to order Merlot with all the sideways star-struck talk. However, as touristy as this place is, it does make a mean steak. One of the best steaks I've ever had in fact (sorry Mortons). So if you can handle the hour long wait, and sift your way through the claustrophobic bar congestion then it is well worth it. If in fact you do go, don't drive. It's inevitable, you will drink a lot of wine.
And so my story comes to it's conclusion. We are now home and thoroughly enjoying our newly aquired wine. Some can be opened today, and some I long to taste a year from now but all in all with every sip I will remember this trip cause If I learned anything on this trip it is this . . .
it's not just about the wine you drink but who you drink it with.
So thank you Joe, for my tasty birthday gift and your fantastic company. I wouldn't have survived the wine snobs without you.
Thank you.